I am about to get rid of my SL within 2-3 months. It's kind of hard to get rid of it because I like it so much.....but they are redesigning the front end this year and I already have 75k miles on this one so this is probably the best time to sell.

I probably will lease the next car for 3 years because I am tired of getting caught upside down loan-wise on these cars depreciating so much. I would rather turn it in at the end and be done.

I thought about getting the SL55 but again.....the redesign pretty much removes that as an option.

I like the new S550....however, it would be hard going to a big sedan from a small car. I doubt the 550 is that fun to drive. Plus, I am not paying $1500/month for a car that will be a dime a dozen in a year or two. Hell, they already are.

Same with the new CL......not paying $100k or $2k month for a normal 550 when they will be $65k in 2 years.

Jags....never had one, don't really trust them. Maybe MMarshall can weigh in on the reliability of the new XK.

Lexus....sadly nothing I want. I think they screwed up on the new LS and of course there is no successor to the SC430 now.

That brings me to BMW. I like the 6 series....they won't redesign until 2011 or 2012 so I am good in a 3 year lease. I have heard some M6's are going for $1k month lease. If I can get a 650i for $750/mo....I would surely pay $1k for a M6 because even with that, I am saving $250 per month for what I spend on the SL per month. It is a rare car...M6.....fast.....nice looking. However, not a big fan of the ragtop for the convertible.

Final option is the CLS55/CLS63. Pretty nice car....sedanish......

I think my top 2 options at this point are the M6 and CLS55/63 with the 650i right behind. Thoughts?

 

I'd say if you can afford it, got for the Audi R8.

 

Jaguar didn't exactly write the book on reliablity. They were awful up until the early-mid 90's when they first came under Ford ownership, then had a few OK years, but then slipped again......and have been below average ever since.

On a lease, though, reliability is generally less of of a factor then on a purchase, especially if you keep the car past the warranty period. That, of course, usually doesn't happen with a lease...the typical lease term is 2-4 years. So, any problems you do have would be warranty-covered......and it's just the inconvienence of taking the car to the dealer and getting a loner (if needed).

If you like the XK8 (and, yes, it is a beautiful car), go for it.....though I agree with Och that an Audi would probably be a better choice, especially a Quattro AWD one, since you are in Chicago and can get some pretty bad winters and road conditions. Audi reliability, overall, is not particularly good, particularly in electronics, but generally a step above Jaguar's. And the Audi DSG (Direct-Shift-gearbox) is a marvelous transmission...try one out and I think you will agree.

BMWs have superb steering and chassis dynamics, but they share the Audi's propensity for weak electronics, and like Audi's MMI, have a similiar awkward device with the I-Drive. I also am not impressed with BMW fit/finish and interiors.

 

Don't like Audis.....they are priced similar to Benz and BMW and for the money, I will take those two over an Audi.

The new S5 is nice.....but I think the M6, CLS AMG, etc. are on a different level.

So you would not recommend the new XK? Have you heard anything specific to those models problem-wise?

This might be a stupid reason but honestly there are no good message boards out for Jaguar. It would be the same with Bentley, Ferrari, etc. This is relevant because if something broke....my only opinion and option is the dealer.

It's not like BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc......where almost any problem you will have with any model someone on this forum....or the BMW one, etc. will already have experienced and had fixed.

 

Few XKs have been sold (or leased) in the American market. It is not a popular car, so Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have not had much data to go on for reliability. All of the other Jaguars, however, which have sold in larger numbers than the XK and have larger data bases, have been well below average according to Consumer reports.....and you can pretty much bet that the XK will do likewise.

But, like I said in the last post, it is a beautiful car. If you like it, and plan to lease one for only 2 or 3 years, it's worth considering....any warranty problems, of course, will be on Jag, not you.

Also, keep in mind that the XK, despite its stunning looks, is not a true sports car per se.....though it can give an account of itelf on twisty roads, it was primarily designed as a luxury/sport coupe or a GT/Touring car, not a hard-edged track car. You're not going to get especially quick lap times with it around the Nurburgring....it wasn't designed for that. The supercharged XKR version, with 400 HP, is, again, not the fastest car in its class, but will obviously get out of its own way.

 

Well, if you're leasing, you shouldn't concern yourself with reliability all too much, just go test drive, find what you like and try to get a good deal on it. If you're interested in a Jag, you should also take a look at their "sister" company's cars - Aston Martins.

In your poll I voted for the Jag, they are cool and rare. I guess the M6 is also rare, but not too many people know the difference between M6 and a regular 645, so it wont be as exclusive as the jag.

 

Of all the cars you've listed, i picked the S550. I prefer sedans over coupes, and its the only car on the list that i like.

BMW 6 series, i just cant get over the looks. Why not a M5?

 

Astons, for the most part, are just reworked Jags at twice the price. And they have very few dealerships. I have one a few miles from my house because I live in a big money/big car-sale area, but most people don't.

The new one, IMO, is absurdly overpriced for a purchase, even considering the V10 and superb chassis.....though perhaps a little more reasonable on a lease. BMW is known for better lease rates than much of their competition, but all bets are off on a car like the M5.

 

He's considering the M6 which is more expensive than the M5. M6 listed at $100k while the M5 is listed at $90k.

If you're concerned with reliability, you might as well take all the Benz off your list.

You might know what all the problems are but knowing you may most likely experience those problems in the near future with a +$80k car and have to go through the hassle of dealing with it might sway you away from the Benz.

If Jaguar's reliability is an issue, so is Benz's. Great cars with tons of issues.

Of the cars you listed, I'd say go with the M6.

[edit]

I see you own a Benz so you're probably more familiar with the car and company than myself.

M6 still gets my vote.

 

Yes, I know. Still, my same comments apply to the M6. That's why I didn't distinguish it from the M5 in my last post.....I consider the M6 just as ovepriced.

 

I say AMG SL55! But that's because my neck hurts everytime I see one driving past... absolutely gorgeous.

 

If you like the S550, I think you would be pleasantly surprised if you go for the optional active suspension. (ABC) It is amazing how aggressively you can drive 2 tons of sedan around tight twisty corners or accelerate/brake with no squat or dive - literally feels like it is on rails. It is an extra $4K but it transforms the dynamics of the vehicle - and the engine is very strong also. Some extra cost and complexity of course, but pretty reliable in the new generation and whatever you choose you will be under warranty for the first 3-4 years whether you lease or buy.

 

What about the new Maserati Coupe?

 

my choices that may not be on your list:

1) aston V8 Vantage
2) Jaguar XF (the new one that looks like the GS)
3) CLS 63
4) Bentley Cont.
5) Maserati Quad.
6) S63
7) C63

wow, thats quite an expensive list

 

I'd lean towards the CLS63...beautiful car with a monster engine.

That being said, there are really attractive lease rates on the M6 right now. Styling is subjective, but I don't like the 6 series convertible...the rag-top cheapens the look of the car. The coupe is much better looking IMHO.